It’s no secret that the shining stars of the show for sandy beaches are the volleyball stands, beach balls, and lakefronts. However, for the past two years, Milwaukee-based non-profit organization made up of art advocates and community members, Joy Engine, has introduced unique and new superstars to our beaches. Hand-painted inflatables that strike interaction and the curiosity of exploration have quickly become the talk of the town at ArtBlaze. Never heard of it? ArtBlaze is a series of free and family-friendly beach parties whose purpose is to celebrate community, creativity, and connection. With this year being its third time around the sun, neither Joy Engine nor ArtBlaze’s party attendees had any hopes of turning the energy down a few notches.

On Thursday, July 30th, 2026, passionate art lovers, curious car groups driving by, and ArtBlaze’s very own artists indulged in the beginning of this year’s interactive and artistic celebratory beach parties. The carefully crafted art installation took place at our very own McKinley Beach, located at [1750 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53202]. The biggest star of the show this year was the result of the intricate collaboration between FuzzPop, Milwaukee-based immersive art studio and multimedia production company, and UW-Milwaukee architecture students. These two talented groups of designers created Archaea-a whimsical collection of giant, glowing, inflatable creatures, which graced and lit up the lakeshore in a heavenly manner. Many who were in attendance were not only shocked by its beauty but their curiosity for the origin of this year’s theme was heightened.

Here’s what artistic director Daniel Murray stated about ArtBlaze’s theme of Archaea:

“Eons and eons ago, all there was on Earth were bacteria and archaea until there was this evolutionary moment where an archaeon took a bacteria into its walls, and from that all complex life on Earth was born. We thought that was an amazing story about change and transformation and partnership, which I think we need a lot of in this world today. And I think it really is what this event is all about too, which is why it's a great opportunity to bring all those together. Archaea in ancient Greek means 'the ancient ones,' and archaea are these microscopic organisms.”- Daniel Murray, Artistic Director of FuzzPop

The eight-foot pieces created of hand-painted ripstop nylon continued to turn even more heads at the second 2026 ArtBlaze beach party on Thursday, August 6th. Taking place at family-friendly South Shore Park [located at South Shore Beach/Park, located at 2900 S. Shore Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53207], the night was anything but ordinary. Consisting of the welcoming activity of a break dance lesson by Your MOVE MKE Inc, making s’mores, and a versatile display of local vendors, the intensity and excitement from the first beach party successfully made its way to this one. The change of scenery also offered a shift for more visibility and opportunity for connection to take place for any and every one in attendance! ArtBlaze was more than a beautiful showcase of all of the long hours put in by FuzzPop and the UW-Milwaukee architecture students; it was, most importantly, a refreshing reminder of how vital interpersonal connection and the perseverance of art are in Milwaukee.

“Art is just important for the whole city and everybody in general, because it brings everybody together and it crosses so many different boundaries. We’re so segregated right now in so many different ways that this is just one space where we can all come together and have some joy. Seeing the smiles one people’s faces is my favorite part of hosting ArtBlaze.”-Steph Salvia, Executive Director of Joy Engine

Joy Engine is personally inviting you tonight to their last beach party of the year! Today, August 20th, 2026, from 4:00 PM- 9:30 PM, ArtBlaze will be taking place at McKinley Beach, located at [1750 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53202]. Come enjoy performances by Barefoot Mike and Xalaat Africa Drum and Dance, an exciting lineup of local vendors, and snacks that will keep you cozy all night. This is a free event open to the public, and anyone of any age is welcome to come touch, play, and immerse into the art that’s more than decor!

"I think often art is this kind of stodgy, high-concept thing, and we want to create art that's really accessible, that's free and open to the public, but it's something people can get and relate to and understand and have fun and play with as well. This is why we encourage everyone to come out and experience it for themselves."- Daniel Murray, Artistic Director of FuzzPop

Take yourself on an adventure tonight. Meet people you’ve never met and witness McKinley Beach in a way you’ve never seen it before /CW Fam. Follow Joy Engine @joyengine aross all social media platforms to stay in the loop about upcoming events and programming. Comment down below if you will be in attendance tonight!

Desriana Gilbert/ Entertainment & Social Journalist for CW

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